My favorite part of summer.

As opposed as I am to hot temperatures, it does bring on the season of wonderful, homegrown, vine-ripened tomatoes.

Red, yellow, orange, heirloom, cherry, beefsteak.  No matter what the variety, I LOVE tomatoes!

And when I saw Andrea’s recipe for Rustic Tomato Tart, that also included a cornmeal crust, I was smitten!  Andrea blogs over at Adventures In All Things Food.  And the title doesn’t come close to telling you how great her blog is, how many wonderful recipes she has, and what a fabulous person she is.  Andrea and I have been in the Secret Recipe Club together for a very long time and I have always loved her blog, and her pictures, and her step-by-step instructions.  She can make anything look easy and delicious.  If you haven’t checked out her website, well, it’s certainly time you did.  Crafts, giveaways, product reviews, and so much more!  And, did I mention awesome recipes?!?!

This recipe is one not to be missed!  Even Mountain Man said, “This is something I could eat and eat again!”  He EVEN said, “This could be eaten for a meal with a salad.”

WHA ? ? ? ?

This guy feels like he needs some meat at every meal.

I think it would also be great with four eggs cracked on top and baked right along with the rest of the tart.  Perfect breakfast or brunch idea.  And I can’t begin to comprehend how good other veggies would be with the basic ingredients of the tart.

OK, I’ve raved and rambled on long enough.  But, really, this is FABULOUS!

 Loading InLinkz ...

How many times have you started to fix a big, beautiful salad and realized that: 1.  Some people don’t like tomatoes 2.  Some people really want tomatoes 3.  Half of the people love anchovies 4.  Half of the people hate anchovies 5.  No olives, please 6.  How many different kinds of olives do you have?  I want them all! 7.  Love cheese on my salad 8.  Don’t do dairy of any kind Just about the only thing that everyone can agree on is that Romaine Lettuce is good. (Although there was a time that Mountain Man thought that the only good lettuce was Iceberg, cut very, very thin like his mama fixes it. . . . . ) I digress. My assignment for this month’s Secret Recipe Club was none other than the famous Maria who is the author of the blog, Staying  Close To Home.  Maria isn’t just a food blogger, you can find all kinds of things on her blog from product reviews to how to create and decorate a custom pet food container.  She has 3 absolutely gorgeous children, a handsome husband, a cat and a simply beautiful Golden Retriever.  If I could describe Maria’s blog in only a couple of words, I would say it is “diverse but simple, in a down-to-earth kinda way.  My kind of lady!! She has lots of great recipes and I really struggled trying to decide what to make.  But then my family wanted pizza. They know better than to think I would make one from scratch, but if we order take out from our favorite Italian place, then what better to go with that pizza than a great salad.  And an even better salad dressing!! I just about refuse to buy commercially bottled salad dressing these days.  First, I have thyroid disease.  Hashimoto’s, to be specific.  One of the worst foods for me is ANYTHING soy.  Seems that soy products can interfere with the absorption rate of my medication.  And I have such a hard time keeping my thyroid hormones where they should be, that the last thing I need is to contribute to the problem. Have you looked at the ingredients in a bottle of salad dressing?!?!  The main ingredient, in most, is vegetable oil.  No, doesn’t that sound harmless.  I mean, how bad can vegetable oil be for you, right?  Well, vegetable oil is just a nice name for “soy oil”.  Yep, 100% soy.  Great.  Exactly what I don’t need.  And with how many other medications does it cause problems?  I think that answer is, “Who knows?”  That being said, I am always on the lookout for new and delicious salad dressings because we eat a lot of fresh salads. But no one in my family likes everything but the kitchen sink in their salad.  Two don’t eat tomatoes. Two don’t eat olives.  One is trying to lay off the dairy because of allergy issues, and doesn’t eat cucumbers because “they don’t like” him.  Some like bell peppers, while others don’t.  I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. While we could all agree on the pizza – one cheese and one Hawaiian, no one is going to eat the same things in their salad.  And I really don’t like to serve boring salads with just lettuce.  So, on pizza night, I served a Make-Your-Own-Salad with Maria’s homemade salad dressing, Greek Salad Dressing.  And, guess what?!?!  EVERYONE loved the dressing!  They made the salad of their choice and chowed down on the pizza. Life is good. And the Greek Salad Dressing was exceptionally delicious!  You are going to love this one!  Thanks so much, Maria, for making our salad very special.  This one is a keeper, for sure.

 Loading InLinkz ...

I really hope that ALL of you had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend.  I think, just maybe, I’ve found something to start your work week off on the right foot.  Let’s see if you agree with me.

If you don’t, I”m sending Guido after you.

It is time again for another Secret Recipe Club recipe.  But this just isn’t ANY recipe, but one that can be used for breakfast, brunch, snack or dessert.  Whatever you decide, you cannot go wrong.  Promise.  Cross my heart.

My assigned blog for this month was Rebekah’s Family, Food, and Fun.  And when you see this wonderful family, and all these amazing children, you know immediately that the name of Rebekah’s blog is absolutely perfect.

Is THAT not an adorable family?  And check out those goodies on the side.  WOW!!!

It’s really no secret that I’m not very good with yeast bread.  While I was perusing through Rebekah’s blog, the one thing that I kept going back to were her breads.  But then, *sigh*, I always want to do my best for my SRC partner and yeasty bread just wasn’t it.  But then I saw that she had a whole section on quick breads.  And we LOVE quick bread in our house.

Probably a little too much.  Is that possible?!?!?

I honed in on one in particular.  Her Strawberries ‘n’ Cream Bread.  I mean, who could resist that, right?  Nice that I had everything on hand, including my appetite. Well, kind of. . . .

If you loved this recipe (and we really LOVED it), you are going to flip over the rest of this months Secret Recipe Club recipes.

 Loading InLinkz ...

I realize it isn’t summer yet.  Heck, it’s barely spring.  In the 80s here this week, snowing in other parts of the country.  So, how about we make the best of the weather with the best of spring and summer all rolled into one fabulous salad?

The asparagus at the market is just perfect.  And I LOVE asparagus.  I realize not everyone does, but when I saw this recipe in my Secret Recipe Club partner’s blog, I knew I had found the perfect dish for a springtime picnic.  For those of us enjoying those spring temps now, go on out and make this and go on that picnic pronto!  For those who still have snow on the ground, just look what you have to look forward to!  In fact, go ahead and make this and serve it at your next meal.  Just to get you in the mood.

But wait, before you run off, check out my partner’s blog, A Spoonful of Thyme, and all the rest of the fabulous recipes that Kate has on her blog.  Just for a teaser or two . . .  Sweet Mustard Shrimp, Capellini with Shrimp and Creamy Tomato Sauce,  and her Tequila Lime Chicken.  And I’ve already decided that MY next recipe of Kate’s is her German Potato Salad.  If one potato salad is fabulous, then the second one must be out of this world, right?!?!  I just LOVE her personal philosophy.  “I truly believe that there is always “thyme” to cook and sit down as a family for the evening meal. Cooking is a wonderful way to bring family and friends together to enjoy food and each other. With a good recipe and “a spoonful of thyme” wonderful things can happen!”

Thanks, Kate, for a wonderful recipe!!  I loved getting to know you and your blog.

This is SUCH a simple and delicious potato salad and will please even your picky eaters!  I added a little feta cheese to my serving, but left it out of the recipe because my husband doesn’t really care for it.  If I were to add it to the whole recipe, I would probably use about 1/2 cup.  I also think it would be good with sweet pickle relish or NO pickle relish.  Up to you!

By the way, that is a black and yellow petunia in the background of the pictures.  I’ve never seen anything like it before!  Had to have them!!

 Loading InLinkz ...

Granola bars are a staple at our house.  They even take the place of a sit-down breakfast when we are on the run.   Well, walk.

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to make my own for a long time.  So, when I received Angela’s Kitchen for my March Secret Recipe Club assignment, I was beyond thrilled that she had a great, easy and quick recipe for making a delicious granola bar.

But don’t stop there!  Angela has been cooking dairy free since 1994 and gluten free since 2001.  That is a long time which equates to a buttload of experience and a kitchen full of recipes.  There are a lot of people that are realizing that gluten and dairy are interfering with their health.  If you are one of those, then be sure and bookmark her site so you can come back and visit time after time.  Recipes include such mouth-watering dishes as Apricot Quinoa Pilaf, French Dip Sandwiches, and Shrimp Pad Thai with Broccoli.

As you can see, I’ve already made my “To Make” list from her blog.  And I’m not done.

Angela also helps you out with meal plans and, get ready for it . . . . . . Classes!!!  So if you are new to cooking or new to GFCF, this is really the place for you.

Now it is time for the main event!  Drumroll please . . . . . . (and wipe the drool off of your chin) . . . . . .

 Loading InLinkz ...

What happens when you have a terrible craving for Chinese food and there isn’t a decent Chinese food place to be found? Necessity is the Mother of Invention and yes, that makes me The Mother.

Shut it.

You know who you are.

I have to say that this is probably as good as it gets for us. Great flavor, easy to put together, and oh – did I mention I made it from leftovers? *insert evil laughter* . . . . . Even better!

The recipe makes enough for 4, easily. It made 2 large portions on 2 different nights for us. It was just as good, if not better, leftover. I love leftovers!

The leftovers that I started with was a grilled flat iron steak, cooked medium to medium rare – about 3/4 of a pound. I sliced the steak into about 1″ cubes and set them aside. So, if you don’t have about a pound of leftover steak, then go out and grill a steak first, before you start this recipe. Then, we’ll go from there. The grilling will save a lot of calories in this recipe by not frying the meat in oil.

I’ve been working very hard at trying to simplify my life lately.  It’s not an easy job.  Simplification is completely overrated.

Before you can simplify you must simply get rid of clutter.

In your closet.

In your garage.

But most of all, in your mind.

YIKES!

I’ve been cluttered in that department for a long time.

We went to pick up our co-op fruit and veggies basket the other day. (Trust me, these stories really do go together.  I’ll bring it for you shortly.)  Gorgeous lettuce, leeks, oranges, little green apples – fabulous in salads, and . . . . then I saw . . . . the

PLANTAINS?!?!?!

Well, here is MORE clutter.  What to do!  What to do!  The sky is falling!  The sky is falling!

This month for the Secret Recipe Club I was assigned Anne-Marie’s blog, This Mama Cooks, and I am sooooo glad she does.  Because she totally simplified my life just a little bit more.  You see, she has recipes for Plantain Chips!  And not just any plantain chips, but delicious, savory and sweet, crunchy and healthy chips!  My life is perfect!!!  (See, I told you I would bring it together for you.)

On her blog is the recipe for Healthy Baked Plantain Chips in four different flavors.  Well, there was no doubt in my mind as to how this was going down.

By the way, there is a LOT more on Anne-Marie’s blog than you can shake a stick at.  Or wooden spoon, for that matter.  And you simply must check out her wonderful recipes as there is something for everyone there, I promise!  Whether you are really watching your weight or looking for comfort food, This Mama Cooks has it all.  With drool-worthy pictures to go along with every recipe.

Don’t believe me?  Then check it out for yourself!  And, just so you know, these are soooooo good!  Even Mountain Man gave them a big “Thumbs Up”!!

It is time once again for my monothly Secret Recipe Club recipe.  I know, it seems that’s all I post these days.  But you know how life can sometimes get in the way of the best laid plans?  It seems that has been happening over and over.  Not bad stuff, just “stuff”.  Mostly all good, and some even great!!!

Speaking of good stuff, don’t pass this one up!  My SRC assignment this month was The Tasty Cheapskate, written by the amazing and frugal, Jean.  The name of her blog says it all.  Tasty AND enjoying meals not just for their taste, but for the money that is still left in your wallet after you’ve eaten and cleaned up the dishes.  She tells you exactly what she prepares and how much it cost for the meal.  Where else can you get that kind of information?!?!

After pulling up her blog on my computer, I quickly figured out that this was not going to be easy.  Too many good ideas bombarded me all at once.  I became caught up in seeing what the meals were and how much money she forked over for them.

Forked over.

Get it?

Anyhoo, if you are looking to eat well and save money, check out her blog.  More specifically, check out The Cheap Eat Challenge.  There are six people in her family and she fed them – and fed them well – on $6 a day.  For the WHOLE family, not per person.  I know you will be duly impressed by her creativity and the flavors of her meals.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw her pork chops with a balsamic reduction.  I LOVE balsamic vinagrette and love a reduction even more.  And, while my garden has not been prolific this year (damn grasshoppers), my Rosemary bush never lets me down.

I was set!

In keeping with Jean’s tradition, I will tell you I spent $5.63 on 5 pieces of the “New York Strip” side of the pork chop chops.  The way my Mountain Man and I eat these days, I knew this would be enough for us for two meals, not just one.  So, make that $2.82 on the chops.  I already had the vinegar, honey, butter and rosemary.  One medium yellow and zucchini squashes with a half onion, and one orange bell pepper came to about $1.25.  So, all in all, this meal cost $4.07 for two people, if my math is correct.

Don’t check.  Just go with it.

And we had MORE than plenty to eat.  Sure enough there were 2.5 of the 5 chops left over and enough veggies for another meal – if I add in a green salad for us to share.

$2 EACH!!

Quinoa has become the new healthy “go to” food of the year.  Maybe the decade.  Maybe even for the millinium.  It has been declared 2013 by the Food and Agriculture Organization as the “International Year of the Quinoa”.  It is an easily prepared and nutrient packed food that is delicious and satisfying.

Well, some might say that “delicious” is taking it a little too far.  But I would argue that they just haven’t tasted it prepared properly or with complementary flavors. . .

Until now.

The month for the Secret Recipe Club, I was partnered with Corina who blogs over at Searching for Spice.  As the name of her blog infers, Corina’s recipes are filled with both common and not so common spice ingredients.  She is a master at taking simple ingredients and, by adding just the right spices, making a ho-hum piece of chicken into a 5-star dish!

On Corina’s blog, you will find such dishes as Brazilian Chicken Stew, Stuffed Aubergine Curry (which I almost made because I have two small ones in the refrigerator now), Lemon and Parsley Sauce for Fish, and Sweet Potato, Lentil and Tahini Soup.  See, I told you that spices are definitely the theme throughout her dishes.  And I am really wanting to make her Pad Thai with Chicken because of the fresh, crunchy green beans that she uses in her recipe.  Corina has inspired me to become more adventurous in the spices that I use in dishes!

The original recipe for this dish came from Jamie Oliver and was made with pasta.  But I really liked the idea of something other than pasta, and since I’m trying to incorporate more quinoa into our diet, it seemed the perfect match.

Who doesn’t like coleslaw? Come on. A show of hands, please.  Jazz Hands.  Ah-cha-cha-cha-CHA!

(Hey, you – over there – go wash up!)

And, its summer.  Coleslaw only runs a scant second behind potato salad for summer salads and picnic food. I used to think that coleslaw came in one variety. You know, the mayonaisse variety.

Until recently.

One of my favorites has been an Apple Cider Vinegar Slaw that is served at a little fish place that we frequent.

Frequently.

Then I saw a recipe of Christy Jordan’s from Southern Plate Magazine and I knew I had fallen deep in love.

This is a jazzy mustard and vinegary kinda slaw that I just know you will love.

I should name this the “Sandy Coleslaw”.  She’s my cousin and she sings fabulous jazz standards with a jazz band.  She’s pretty jazzy, too.

Anyhoo,

Check out my recent recipe for Jazzy Coleslaw.  Made especially for those of you who don’t like mayo-type coleslaws.

You know who you are. . . . Kody.

I also love my vintage red Pyrex mixing bowl.  I have the set.  Thank you, Momma.

Now, for a little relaxin’ with some jazz Louis Armstrong, or maybe some Dave Brubeck . . . yeah.

What A WONDERFUL World!!